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Cruise News - May 5, 2008

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Earlier today, the Latvian Coast Guard began evacuating the 651 mostly-German passengers and some of the crew to naval vessels since it is unclear when the ship will be freed from the sand bar. The passengers are being taken to the port city of Ventspils, and from there they will be transported to Riga. The ship, which originally entered service in 1996 as Kungsholm for the Swedish American Line, has a deeper draft than many modern cruise ships and this may have been a contributing factor in the grounding.

This is not the first time that Mona Lisa has run aground. Almost exactly four years ago, she ran aground in heavy fog near St. Marks's Square in Venice Italy. That incident sparked a debate about the safety of having 700 ft cruise ships operating so close to the historic center of Venice.

While the specific cause of yesterday's grounding has not yet been determined, it is being reported that the captain was trying to get the ship closer to the coast line in an effort to give passengers a better vantage point for taking pictures of a nearby lighthouse.

The one count criminal Information filed in Miami, last Friday, alleges that on May 25, 2003, NCLL, a Bermuda corporation with its corporate headquarters in Miami, was the owner and operator of the S.S. NORWAY when one of the vessel�s boilers ruptured, while the vessel was moored in the Port of Miami. As a result of the failure of part of the boiler system, eight crewmembers were killed and ten others seriously injured. A Complaint For Civil Injunctive Relief was also filed on Friday, against NCL (Bahamas), LTD., a Bermuda corporation which assumed operational control of several ships that were previously operated by NCLL. The case has been assigned to the Honorable James Lawrence King, United States District Court Judge.

The Civil Complaint reflects that NCLL has agreed to plead guilty to the companion Criminal Information and pay a criminal fine. NCL has agreed that, as operator of the former NCLL vessels, it will assume legal responsibility for carrying out certain procedural and safety reviews under the auspices of an independent consultant, to ensure that NCL has in effect safe practices in vessel operations, a safe working environment, and proper safeguards against identified risks. The review will specifically include consideration of procedures related to the maintenance. Operation, and inspection of all boiler systems on NCL vessels. The S.S. NORWAY, itself, has been permanently removed from maritime service.

The National Transportation Safety Board recently released the results of its investigation into the S.S. NORWAY casualty in which it concluded that a weld on a seam of a high-pressure drum fractured, releasing almost 20 tons of high temperature water, which immediately flashed into steam and swept through the engine spaces and some adjacent crew berthing areas, resulting in the death of eight crewmembers and the injury of others. No passengers were injured. The report noted that the failed system had a history of fatigue cracking, corrosion, and pitting. The Board Report concluded that the ultimate failure of the boiler system was failure of adequate care in the maintenance, operation, and inspection of the S.S. NORWAY�s boilers.

Acosta stated that �Charges such as those today are necessary to show that companies operating and managing ships have a duty to take reasonable measures to assure the safety of all onboard - passengers and crew, and that they will be held accountable if they fail to meet that obligation.�

Rear Admiral Branham stated that "The boiler explosion aboard the SS NORWAY was a preventable tragedy. It is appropriate that the corporation be held accountable for their negligent maintenance procedures. Hopefully, this case will send a message to the maritime industry that marine safety should be the paramount consideration in maintaining their vessels."

In this week's commentary TravelPage.com's European Cruise Editor, Malcolm Oliver examines the recent announcements that NCL F3-class of ships will feature novel cabin design.
A New Wave of Design
What an exciting month April 2008 was for both British and global cruise ship enthusiasts:

On April 7th P&O's 'Ventura' (the largest cruise ship dedicated to the British market) arrived at her home port of Southampton for the first time. Ventura was officially christened by actress Dame Helen Mirren with some help. Two SAS Marines repelled down the bow of the ship and manually broke a bottle each, ensuring no embarrassment from a bottle of bubbly bouncing off the side of the ship.
On April 15th Royal Caribbean revealed some features of their forthcoming Ultra-ship 'Genesis' which includes 'Central Park' (an open area with real grass and trees) and the 'Rising Tide bar', a bar which rises vertically into the air (Speaking for myself, when a bar starts to move, that's when I stop drinking and leave.)
On April 22nd we had a 'twice in a lifetime' moment when the three Cunard Queen's (Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary and Queen Victoria) met at Southampton for the first time. However it wasn't a "first" first as the three Queens had previously met in New York on January 13th.
On April 25th the world's biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's 'Independence of the Seas', docked at Southampton to prepare for her season of cruises from the U.K. She made the QE2 which was also in Southampton that day look like a tender.

Each of the above events received significant media coverage on TV, radio and in print. However on April 24th we received some interesting news from the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) which was not so well publicized. Never the less, NCL's announcement was quite significant for ship aficionados. That is because the news concerned details of the staterooms to be featured onboard NCL's two 'F3' newbuilds. Towards the end of the decade, NCL will be competing directly with Carnival and Royal Caribbean by introducing their first two mega ships, Each ship will be 150,000gt vessels, and will offer 4,200 lower berths when they are delivered in 2009 and 2010.
NCL president and CEO Colin Veitch had tantalized the media at the Miami 'Seatrade' show earlier in the year saying the ships would be "�without a traditional cruise ship cabin". At the time many were trying to guess what he meant and with last week's announcement it suddenly became clear.
The cabins onboard modern ships are relatively similar to each other in design, irrespective of which cruise line you choose. Sure there are some variations in the size and the d�cor but essentially they are rectangular rooms with the expected amenities for the price paid. .
For better or worse, over the past several years NCL demonstrated that it more than capable of 'thinking outside the box'. But when they announced that the staterooms on the F3's will be based on a 'New Wave' concept which feature more curves than 'Beyonce'.
According to NCL, the "New Wave" cabin walls will be curve shaped rather than the straight lines that make up the cabin walls of just about any other ship. Even the dressing units and beds will have curves.
In last week's announcement NCL revealed three basic grades of cabins: the New Wave standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe.
Some of the cabins have an interlocking design where one cabin is the mirror image of its partner, a design feature which was common place on the ships of old (albeit with straight lines), but not so common now. The d�cor is rather toned down compared to NCL's other newbuilds, or as NCL put its "�a sophisticated earth-tone palette accented with a splash of colour and rich, dark wood". There will also be concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings to generate a relaxing atmosphere. However, the most radical design feature is the fact that they have separated the shower/or bath tub and water closet (toilet) either side of the entry "hall". It's not clear how big the two bathroom spaces will be or what type of doors or dividers that they will have. However a hanging curtain is available to separate these two areas from the rest of the cabin. In addition, within the main cabin space, there will be a vanity sink. (This is a throwback to the past, as many of the great Ocean Liners, like the 'Queen Mary' of 1934 had sinks in some of the higher class cabins outside of the bathroom).
All of the 1,415 outside cabins will have balconies, but there will be inside cabins too.
Following NCL's announcement there has been significant debate about the level of privacy available in the F3 cabins given the fact that anyone entering or leaving the cabin must pass through the bathroom spaces. Of course this design has the great advantage in that the different cabin occupants can perform different bodily functions all at the same time. There is no information to how big the various cabin grades will be but given the fact that the F3's will be relatively high density ship, we can expect the standard grades will b relatively small. The 'curves' may well be a clever way to make the cabins feel more spacious. We are also expecting multiple dining and entertainment venues on board the F3's. Officially the external appearance of the ship is still a secret but given NCL's history of delivering some of the "boxiest" ships afloat, we are expecting the worst.
It is interesting to note that when Celebrity Cruise Lines was boasting about the stateroom design on board their new Solstice-class ships, the revealed that they had asked a panel of five women to help design the staterooms. I have seen an artist's renditions of their 'Aqua-Class' staterooms and they look very nice, but on the face of it they do not look particularly different in layout and d�cor from those any other modern ship. Maybe the devil is in the detail? However NCL have stolen Celebrities thunder and have come up with something which is genuinely different from the current norm.
Let the battle for the high seas continue.

Malcolm Oliver

"Celebrity Galaxy has been a treasured member of our family of ships since her maiden voyage in December 1996, and the outstanding crew onboard will continue to offer the service with style Celebrity is known for right up until the shift to TUI Cruises," said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "We look forward to transitioning those fine shipboard colleagues to the balance of the Celebrity fleet as we grow the brand with our new Solstice class."

"We are very pleased to have Celebrity Galaxy become the first ship in the new TUI Cruises fleet," said TUI Cruises CEO Richard J. Vogel. "We look forward to customizing the ship for our German customer base, growing our brand, and providing our guests with an incredible vacation experience."

TUI Cruises is designed for German-speaking guests seeking a contemporary/premium cruise experience. The onboard product will be custom-tailored to German tastes in food, entertainment and amenities.

Celebrity Galaxy will complete its scheduled sailings through the March 2, 2009, itinerary. It will enter service for TUI Cruises in May 2009 under a new name, and will sail in the Baltic in the summer season, and in the Caribbean in the winter.

Celebrity Galaxy joined the Celebrity Cruises fleet in December 1996 and was built by Jos. L. Meyer GmbH & Co. of Papenburg, Germany. Celebrity invested $4-million in a series of upgrades on the ship this month, including new carpeting, upholstery and lighting in a variety of public spaces and staterooms. The 77,713 gross-registered-ton ship carries 1,870 guests (double occupancy) and 909 crew.

Star Princess will receive these new features during her September drydock in San Francisco and Caribbean Princess will follow in January 2009.

The ships' updated atriums will not only feature the specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis and tapas of the International Cafe, but will also introduce an expanded Vines wine bar concept, which will now include rare vintage wines, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle. In addition, passengers will be able to relax in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess' signature adults-only retreat, featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. The ships will also replace their current steakhouse with the Crown Grill restaurant featuring an open show kitchen where passengers can enjoy watching as chefs prepare chops, steaks and seafood, including live lobsters. As part of the renovation, each vessel will also receive seven new suites with ocean-view picture windows, and the casino will be relocated one deck higher to deck 7, bringing it into the ship's central entertainment area.

"After Crown Princess and Emerald Princess debuted, we knew we had struck a chord with our passengers who loved the piazza-style atriums, new dining experiences and the peaceful environment of The Sanctuary," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. "And so we're delighted to bring these hallmark features to two of the other vessels."

To make room for the new features, passengers may find that some of their favorite areas have been relocated. In addition to the casino, the sports court, Internet Cafe and wedding chapel are also among the spaces that will be moved in the renovation process.

The Piazza - This piazza-style atrium has been a popular area on the new ships, with its sidewalk cafe feel and casual dining options. The ships will offer this lively area on Deck 5, designed to be the bustling hub of the ship with a street cafe atmosphere, featuring live music and entertainers throughout the day and evening. With Italian-inspired decor, this charming area serves as an inviting venue throughout the day for passengers seeking a more casual dining option. Within this space, passengers can relax over coffee and pastries at the International Cafe or a glass of wine at Vines, or keep in touch with home at the Internet Cafe.

Vines - The expanded Vines concept features a wine bar serving a selection of rare and unique new- and old-world vintage wines along with gourmet delicacies. Here passengers can enjoy an assortment of fine wines by the glass, wine flights, a wine shop and a walk-in glass artisan cheese and cured meat humidor. Designed to resemble a wine cellar, the venue hosts unique wine tasting sessions, while the chef makes special appearances to pair selections with some of the world's most desirable artisan cheeses. Food-lovers can also sample a daily selection of sushi, sashimi, antipasti or ceviche. A signature feature in Vines, wine lovers will have the opportunity to sample a Swiss specialty, Raclette, a traditional melted cheese dish. The Vines shop offers an extensive collection of hard-to-find wines available for purchase, as well as Princess-branded favorites such as extra virgin olive oil, aged Italian balsamic vinegar and a selection of related gift items.

International Cafe - Serving up a variety of tasty options throughout the day, the International Cafe features an ever-changing array of quick bites and light meal choices. In the morning, passengers will be attracted by the aroma of freshly baked croissants, Danish pastries and beignets; while in the afternoon the Cafe serves grilled-to-order paninis, quiches and salads. At dinnertime passengers can stop by for tapas or dessert - including the popular chocolate fondue. Throughout the day, the cafe features the line's famous fresh-baked cookies, and coffee lovers can also select from a variety of specialty coffee drinks and Revolution teas.

The Sanctuary - The adults-only "pocket of tranquility" that has been so popular on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess, will be added to the uppermost forward deck of the ship, which currently houses the ships' sports court. The Sanctuary offers a relaxing alternative to the myriad activities available throughout the ship. Solitude seekers will be able to escape completely to this plush, outdoor spa-inspired setting with refreshing beverages and healthy fare, massages, relaxing personal entertainment and attentive service from the area's Serenity Stewards.

Crown Grill - The ships will trade their Sterling Steakhouse restaurants for a Crown Grill premium seafood and chop house concept as found on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. This showplace restaurant entertains passengers with an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare steamed shellfish - such as lobster, scallops, clams and mussels - and cooked-to-order steaks and chops. Passengers can choose to sit at the kitchen's eat-up counter and watch the show as they dine.

Suites - Seven new oceanview suites will be added on deck six, offering additional options for passengers who enjoy the luxury and amenities that come with Princess' most spacious accommodations.

Joe Ueberroth, Chairman and CEO of the Company, stated, "We are committed to operating the 2008 season of Majestic America Line while conducting our exit of the business in an orderly and effective manner. Several credible parties have expressed a sincere interest in acquiring some and/or all the assets of Majestic America Line and building upon the efforts and investments we have made in delivering unique cruise experiences that celebrate American history, culture and our magnificent waterways. In addition, our decision to exit Majestic America Line enables us to focus our efforts and investments on the successes of Windstar Cruises. Our dedicated American crew remain committed to providing our customers with extraordinary cruises and key vendors and business partners are working with us to ensure a smooth transition."

The Company has a conference call scheduled on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 to discuss the financial results for the first quarter of 2008 and at that time management will elaborate further on the decision to sell Majestic America Line.

Vierra will now be responsible for providing overall direction, guidance and coordination of Holland America Line's human resource management activities worldwide. Vierra has been a key member of the management team since first joining the company in December 1997. Brendan was appointed Vice President, Guest Programs in January 2000 and since that time has successfully led guest programs to record service levels. Vierra will report to Stein Kruse, President and CEO, Holland America Line. Vierra holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Chaminade College in Honolulu. He serves on the board of directors of the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tim Murphy, another Holland America Line veteran, has been named Vice President, Guest Programs, reporting to Richard Meadows, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs. Murphy joined Holland America in 1987 and since that time has successfully mastered several positions of increasing responsibility within the Finance department. Tim is a CPA with a bachelor degree in accounting from the University of Wyoming.

Ambassadors Cruise Group has named Diane Moore President of Windstar Cruises. The appointment is effective April 29, 2008.

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Name the former liners that were sold to the Iranian government for use as accommodation ships in the 1970's?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question
What was the name given to the popular transatlantic route between New York, Algeciras, Naples, Genoa and Cannes and what ships were best known for making this trip?

Answer - TThere were two companies which ran this route. The Italian Line called it "The Sunny Southern Route" and American Export called it "The Sun Lane".
courtesy of Carl Ilardi

Cruise News - April 28, 2008

"From the introduction of the first Caribbean cruise more than 41 years ago to the launch of Freestyle Cruising in 2000 and beyond, NCL has always blazed a trail of innovation," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "We have thrown away the rule book with the design of F3 and today are revealing the very first element with our New Wave staterooms. Gone are the regimented typical designs and in place are sleek staterooms that are totally outside the box, designed for the needs of tomorrow's guests."

The New Wave staterooms most distinctive design element is its curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience. NCL has maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink. The staterooms feature a sophisticated earth-tone palette accented with a splash of color and rich, dark wood. Concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings set a relaxing vibe.

All the amenities and comforts of NCL's Freestyle 2.0 enhancements are included with upgraded bedding, linens and towels, Euro pillows, Elemis bathroom products and MP3 connectivity upon request. Balcony and deluxe staterooms have bathrobes, a customized fruit menu, a fresh-baked cookie at turn down on the last night of cruise, an escort to the stateroom on embarkation day, priority restaurant reservation and reception hotlines and special color keycard for ship-wide recognition.

"Today's announcement is just the first chapter in a series of innovations we will be revealing about our new F3 ships leading up to their launch in 2010," Veitch said. "These ships will further deconstruct the traditional cruise ship experience with innovations in design, accommodations, luxury and entertainment to create a cutting-edge resort vacation experience unlike any other at sea."

The two 150,000-ton F3 ships will each total 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ships in NCL's fleet. The new ship design will offer 60 percent more guest space than NCL's largest ships to date, which will be used to provide guests an even wider range of on-board activities, amenities and stateroom options. The ships' cabin mix will be the richest of any NCL ship with 100 percent of outside staterooms featuring private balconies. In total, each ship will have 1,415 balcony staterooms.

More details about the F3 ships including other innovative accommodations, public spaces, dining, entertainment/nightlife, cutting-edge technology and casino will be announced leading up to the launch of the first F3 ship in 2010.

Within just 17 days, Celebrity completed all that and more on Celebrity Summit during the ship's scheduled drydock period from April 11-27 at Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, Germany. The ship resumes its European season tomorrow, complete with a new 11,000-kilowatt diesel genset (dedicated electrical generation system), which reduces fuel consumption by generating electricity for the ship while in port.

Additionally, dance enthusiasts will find an entirely new floor in the ship's Rendezvous Lounge, shoppers can enjoy a completely renovated boutique gift shop area, and guests with attention to detail will notice freshly-varnished wood railings and newly-polished surfaces throughout the ship.

"We are constantly focused on the care and maintenance of our fleet, and evaluate the exterior and interior appearance of every ship, every day, to ensure we're consistently delivering the best guest experience," said Celebrity's Senior Vice President of Marine Operations, John Krousouloudis.

"We tend to be modest about talking about the work that takes place during scheduled drydocks, but it's a high priority, and a significant investment, because we know how important it is to guest satisfaction and our brand as a whole," added Celebrity's Vice President of Hotel Operations, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.

In 2007 alone, as part of its standard maintenance program, Celebrity Cruises invested more than $13 million across the fleet in bedding upgrades, new gym equipment in the fitness centers, marble polishing and repair, carpet replacement, new teak surfaces on several pool decks, varnishing of wood surfaces, revitalization of various gift shop areas, and new upholstery.

"It is gratifying that, despite the challenging economic times, our guests continue to appreciate the outstanding value offered by our brands," said Richard Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We delivered the highest first quarter yields in our company's history, with significant improvement in ticket prices and continued healthy onboard spending."

Key metrics for the first quarter 2008, as compared to the first quarter 2007, were as follows:

-- Net Yields increased 7.1% to a record $173 per APCD (Available Passenger Cruise Days).

-- Fuel prices increased 53%, while fuel costs per APCD increased 24%; benefiting from energy saving initiatives and hedging. The average at-the-pump price for the quarter was $592 per metric ton versus $388 per metric ton in 2007.

Royal Caribbean said that it expects its second quarter 2008 earnings per share to be $0.40 to $0.45, and expects full year 2008 earnings per share to be $2.85 to $3.00.

"Our record yield performance in the first quarter and our solid forward bookings demonstrate our resilience and are certainly reassuring," said Fain. "Our brands have clearly differentiated themselves and our portfolio of innovative newbuilds will continue to feed their momentum."

Fain continued, "Higher fuel prices have been a prolonged challenge for us, but our management team remains focused on cost controls and continues to help mitigate the impact. Except for higher fuel prices, it is very gratifying to see our revenues and earnings projected to be as good or better than our original expectations. Our brands' momentum, cost savings initiatives, growing economies of scale and the efficiencies of our new vessels should continue to improve our shareholder value."

Royal Caribbean said that it expects to have a 5.1% increase in capacity in 2008, driven primarily by a full year of Liberty of the Seas, the Independence of the Seas entering service in May, Pullmantur's purchase of Pacific Star, and Celebrity Solstice entering service in the fourth quarter.

Royal Caribbean said that it does not forecast fuel prices and its cost guidance for fuel is based on current at-the-pump prices net of any hedge impacts. Based on today's fuel prices, Royal Caribbean said that it has included $685 million in fuel expenses in its full year 2008 guidance. This figure is $90 million, or $0.42 per share, higher than at the time of its previous earnings guidance.

Queen Mary 2 arrived after concluding her first Transatlantic Crossing of the season and will transport the remaining World Cruisers from both QE2 and Queen Victoria back to New York, arriving April 28.

The three ships are the only passenger vessels in the world with Southampton on their sterns.

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 3,652-passenger Carnival Dream is the first in a new class of ship for the line with a unique interior design, sleek hull and distinctive profile, along with a host of innovative facilities and features which will be released in the coming months.

The deployment of the Carnival Dream to Port Canaveral continues the line's 18-year relationship with the Canaveral Port Authority, the longest tenure of any cruise line there.

From hand-rolled sushi and a supper club modeled after New York's renowned steakhouses to Mongolian barbecue and Indian tandoori, the new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor will provide guests with a delectable array of international cuisines when it debuts in Europe this summer.

In addition to multi-course meals served in spectacular two-level main dining rooms, a diversity of global choices await diners in The Lido restaurant, which boasts a tandoori oven offering Indian-style chicken, fish kebobs, breads and other delicacies, a Mongolian wok where guests can select vegetables, seafood, meat and spices and have it prepared right before their eyes, and the ever-popular 24-hour pizza with seven kinds of pies and calzone. Carnival's successful supper club concept will also be taken to new heights with The Pinnacle serving the finest dry-aged U.S.D.A. prime steaks and other dishes in a refined atmosphere.

"Today's consumers are savvier than ever when it comes to cuisine, and they want not only longtime favorites but also the opportunity to enjoy new choices they typically wouldn't try at home," said Natko Nincevic, Carnival's senior vice president of hotel operations. "Carnival Splendor's size has enabled us to explore different culinary options for our guests' enjoyment and raise the bar on our ocean-going cuisine," he added.

Main Dining Rooms Offer Carnival Favorites - In keeping with the theme of culinary diversity, Carnival's main dining rooms, the Golden Pearl and the Black Pearl, offer guests a choice of six different appetizers and soups, two salads, and six entrees, and the ever-popular Broiled Lobster Tail served once each voyage, Additionally, Carnival Classics � a selection of popular appetizers, entrees and desserts -- is available daily.

A variety of decadent desserts, including Carnival's legendary Chocolate Melting Cake, and an extensive wine list, featuring a number of reserve selections, will also be available.

Reservations-Only Supper Club - For those seeking a more intimate meal, there's The Pinnacle, a reservations-only supper club, which will offer the finest cuisine in elegant and memorable surroundings that include a glass dance floor suspended over a mini-atrium that's sure to be a conversation starter.

Modeled after New York's top steakhouses, The Pinnacle's menu includes a nine-ounce filet, 14-ounce strip loin, and a 24-ounce porterhouse, along with lobster tail, veal and lamb chops, Dover sole and surf and turf with seared lobster and grilled filet mignon. Traditional steakhouse accompaniments such as creamed spinach, wasabi mashed potatoes and saut�ed mushrooms, will also be available. Impeccable, leisurely-paced service, the finest china and stemware, and one of the most extensive wine lists afloat � hand selected to match the cuisine � make dining at The Pinnacle a truly unforgettable experience.

More Casual Offerings - Continuing Carnival's efforts at expanding the quality and variety of its casual dining choices, Carnival Splendor's poolside restaurant, The Lido, will offer a wide range of breakfast, lunch and dinner alternatives served buffet-style.

In addition to Indian tandoori and Mongolian barbecue venues, The Lido will include a New York�style deli with piled-high sandwiches and popular sides, a 35-item salad bar, pasta and meat-carving stations, and a grill serving hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken and steak sandwiches.

Carnival Splendor will also feature a rotisserie upstairs on Panorama Deck, serving rotisserie chicken with the cruise line's signature spice rub, along with traditional accompaniments.

Other Palate-Pleasing Options - Carnival Splendor's culinary choices don't end there. The ship also features The Coffee Shop, offering espressos, lattes and cappuccinos and decadent sweets, and California Roll, a sushi bar offering complimentary Asian specialties prior to dinner each evening.

There's also 24-hour stateroom service � complimentary, of course � where guests can have freshly made hot and cold sandwiches, salads and other fare delivered to their cabin any time of the day or night. Late-night buffets with a different theme each night, including the Gala Midnight Buffet and Chocolate Extravaganza, will be featured, as well.

Carnival Splendor will also offer the popular "Fountain Fun Card," offering unlimited soft drinks throughout the voyage for a one-time fee. Adult and children's versions of the card will be available.

Carnival Splendor is set to debut July 2, 2008, with an eight-day voyage from Genoa followed by the launch of 12-day Northern Europe cruises from London (Dover) July 13, 2008. The ship will be deployed to Rome (Civitavecchia) for 12-day voyages to the Mediterranean, Greece and Turkey then reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for seven-day Caribbean departures. Following a series of 14- to 18-day South America voyages, Carnival Splendor begins year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., March 29, 2009.

"We look forward to working with our colleagues at TUI AG to build a world class cruise line for Germany," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "TUI Cruises is another strategic step in our efforts to meet the growing global demand for cruising."

"Our partnership with Royal Caribbean will help us bring the very best cruises to our fellow countrymen," said Dr. Michael Frenzel, chief executive officer of TUI AG. "We expect TUI Cruises to be a central player in Germany's fast growing cruise market."

TUI Cruises will be based in Hamburg, Germany, and Richard J. Vogel, a long time cruise industry executive, will serve as chief executive.

The new cruise line will begin service with one ship in early 2009. Sales and marketing activities will begin in the coming months. TUI Cruises will meet the needs of German-speaking customers seeking a premium cruise experience. The onboard product will be custom-tailored to German tastes, and encompass food, entertainment and amenities. German will be the language used onboard.

The companies announced their intentions to form TUI Cruises on December 10, 2007. On March 10, 2008, they received permission to move forward from European antitrust regulators. Each company holds a 50 percent interest in the joint venture.

Further details regarding the brand's first ship and the TUI Cruises product will be revealed at an April 29 press event in Hamburg.

"There is no better way to celebrate the partnership between the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Cunard Line than for the Boston Symphony Chamber Players to perform their extraordinary music aboard the magnificent Queen Mary 2," said Mark Volpe, managing director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. "The Boston Symphony Chamber Players have performed to critical acclaim in the great concert halls around the globe and we are excited to add performances on the world's grandest ocean liner to our list of accomplishments."

For first and second guests in a stateroom, the revised fuel supplement will be $8 (U.S.D.) per-person, per-day, and no more than $112 (U.S.D.) per- person, per-cruise. Additional guests in a stateroom will be charged $3 (U.S.D.) per-person, per day, and no more than $42 (U.S.D.) per-person, per- cruise.

The revised fuel supplement will apply to bookings made throughout the world on or after May 1, 2008, onboard three Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.

These appointments fill the vacancies arising as a result of the previously announced retirement of Baroness Sarah Hogg as a member of the boards, who decided not to seek re-election at the latest annual meetings of shareholders. The board committee appointments and retirement of Baroness Sarah Hogg became effective April 22, 2008.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has named conservation advocate Jamie Sweeting as its vice president of Environmental Stewardship. In his position, which is new to the company, Sweeting will be responsible for establishing the company's long-term environmental strategy, including goals and objectives that ensure responsible corporate environmental performance. These objectives will incorporate factors such as climate change, destination stewardship, current and future environmental regulations and agreements, and programs that lead to sound environmental policy, compliance, incident response and training.

Cruise News Trivia Question:
What was the name given to the popular transatlantic route between New York, Algeciras, Naples, Genoa and Cannes and what ships were best known for making this trip?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question
Here's another Photo Cruise Trivia - This picture was taken in 1975 in New York City. Can you name the five ships in the photo (...from bottom to top)?

Click Here for a larger version of the picture.

Answer - The 5 ships are (from bottom to top); the Doric of Home lines, the Michelangelo or Raffaello of the Italian Line the Oceanic of Home Lines the Rotterdam of Holland America Line and the Statendam of Holland America Line.
courtesy of Byron Clayton, Singapore

Cruise News - April 21, 2008

Elegant and lively, Central Park's central piazza will be the ship's "town square" which evolves from a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere during the day to a gathering space for alfresco dining and entertainment in the evening, where guests will enjoy concerts and street performances. The neighborhood is lined with balcony staterooms rising six decks high with views of the Park below and the sky above.

Surrounding this social space will be an array of restaurants, with choices ranging from fine dining to casual chic. Guests will have the option of an elegant dinner at the new 150 Central Park or a picnic lunch from the more casual Central Park Cafe, where they can sit outdoors and people-watch. Other dining choices will include: Giovanni's Table, an Italian restaurant; Vintages wine bar; and Royal Caribbean's signature Chops Grille steakhouse. Several bars will be scattered throughout the Park, including the Canopy Bar, located at one of two impressive glass-domed canopies, and the unique Rising Tide bar - the first moving bar at sea. Truly an engineering feat, Rising Tide will span three decks and allow cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend into Central Park and then descend back into the public spaces below. Central Park also will have stylish boutique shops, showcasing a selection of upscale merchandise.

Rising Tide will span three decks and allow cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend into Central Park and then descend back into the public spaces below

"Building such a large vessel allowed us to add even more of the choices and amenities that our guests value and Central Park is a dramatic addition to our already extensive array of exciting features," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "Central Park is the first of many dynamic neighborhoods on Project Genesis which will enable each guest to find his or her own space and activity."

"Our brand identity is founded in innovation and on delivering the best cruise vacation through 'WOW' experiences," stated Adam Goldstein, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Central Park is a true evolution of cruise ship design and allows us to provide our guests with not only a more varied selection of balcony accommodations, but also a stunning public venue that will be a central element of the ship, both during the day and at night."

-- Central Park is located on Deck 8 of the ship, with dimensions of 62 feet (19 meters) wide and 328 feet (100 meters) long. The sophisticated neighborhood will include 334 staterooms overlooking the Park, 254 with balconies.

-- Central Park will be landscaped with tropical foliage, including seasonal flowers, shrubs and trees. Drawing on the concept of unexpected surprises and intrigue, garden spaces throughout the Park will sprout from charming pathways. Drifts of Calla Lilies among Giant Elephant Ears, Red Ginger, Rabbit Foot Ferns and Zebra Calathea are some of the plant life guests will discover. Trees, some eventually reaching more than two-and-a-half decks tall, include Black Olive, Cuban Laurel, Cherry of the Rio Grande, and Painted and Golden Bamboo.

-- Surprises in the Park include quiet reading corners; a Chess Garden with large-scale pieces; the Pergola Garden, an interpretive garden featuring vegetation from a host of Caribbean locales; and a Sculpture garden, highlighting work by international artists.

-- Irrigation and drainage systems will be incorporated, along with micro-climate control techniques.

-- An on-site horticulturist will provide educational classes for guests seeking to learn more about flora.

Central Park is the first of many dynamic neighborhoods on Project Genesis which will enable each guest to find his or her own space and activity

-- The Crystal Canopies, two impressive arched-glass domes, one with a bar, will be a focal point of Central Park and provide sunlight into the ship's inner public spaces.

* 150 Central Park - The most exclusive dining venue on the ship, 150 Central Park combines leading-edge cuisine with leading-edge design. An observation window into the kitchen of this stylish restaurant will give Central Park passersby the opportunity to observe the executive chef in action. Open for dinner.

* Chops Grille - Continuing the tradition, Royal Caribbean's popular signature steakhouse will offer premium cut, quality meats in an upscale, contemporary setting. Open for dinner.

* Giovanni's Table - Influenced by the Tuscan countryside, Giovanni's will be a casual new Italian restaurant concept offering toasted herbal breads, pizzas, salads, pastas, Italian sandwiches, braised meat dishes and stews. Rustic with a contemporary flair, dishes are served family style in an indoor and outdoor setting to provide an alfresco experience in Central Park. Open for lunch and dinner.

* Central Park Cafe - A casual dining choice providing a high level of variety and flexibility, Central Park Cafe is an indoor/outdoor gourmet market with walk-up counters. From freshly prepared salads and made-to-order sandwiches to paninis, crepes and hearty soups, guests order directly from the chefs behind the food stations. European pastries, sublime chocolates and decadent fudge round out the offerings. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats.

* Vintages - Always a popular hot spot for Royal Caribbean guests on Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, the Vintages wine bar evolves into a larger space on Project Genesis, offering a variety of options for those seeking a tropical white Riesling or a mocha-inflected Merlot. Great for a pre-dinner rendezvous, Vintages also provides a selection of cheeses and a full tapas menu to accompany a robust selection of fine wines. Open for lunch and dinner.

-- Central Park will feature upscale retail boutiques for discerning travelers, including specialty outlets such as The Parkside Gallery, showcasing original artwork for purchase, and Picture This, a portrait studio.

When she launches in late 2009, Project Genesis will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 GRT, carry 5,400 guests, and feature 2,700 staterooms. The ship will sail from her home port in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In 2010, she will be joined by a sister ship.

But in a break with tradition, instead of Dame Helen simply pressing a button to send a cradled Taittinger champagne bottle towards the ship, she commanded a crack team of Royal Marine Commandoes to assist her in naming Ventura in a dramatic abseil.

Dame Helen Mirren said, "It is the first time I have ever named a ship, let alone one of the size of P&O Cruises Ventura and am really looking forward to being Godmother."

Royal Marines display team commanding officer, Lt Colonel Steve Richards, "This is a rather unusual assignment for our lads, but well within their capabilities. They are very keen to as